Huddlestone keeps Spurs on course for Champions League

Tottenham maintained their challenge for a Champions League place after Tom Huddlestone’s spectacular strike clinched a 1-0 win against Bolton at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

Harry Redknapp’s team stay one point ahead of Manchester City in the Premier League table before Wednesday’s crucial trip to Eastlands, where victory will guarantee Spurs a place in Europe’s elite club competition.

Despite defeating Arsenal and Chelsea in their previous home games, Redknapp resisted the temptation to rest players ahead of the trip to City.

Skipper Ledley King was included even though it meant his is knee may not be ready for the midweek clash.

King was needed in the early stages to cut out Ivan Klasnic’s low cross, although the striker’s effort was not pleasing his manager.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle was up on his feet swearing at his player and calling him “lazy” when he did not track back as Spurs played the ball in defence.

The Scot did not celebrate when Bolton secured safety and his reaction highlighted the high standards he demands from his players.

Coyle’s men needed everyone pulling together as Spurs pressed forward, looking for the win that would cement fourth place.

Roman Pavlyuchenko had the first glimpse of goal for Redknapp’s side, but the Russian failed to connect after Younes Kaboul got past Matt Taylor on the right flank.

Then Gareth Bale had a couple of efforts from long range. The Premier League’s player of the month for April could not get enough power on his first shot but his second had Jussi Jaaskelainen down sharply to block.

It needed something to special to brighten up the match and Huddlestone provided it seven minutes before the break with his spectacular opener.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto laid the ball across for the midfielder and his shot from 25 yards crashed into the top corner at the near post.

Huddlestone has a reputation for stunning goals but he would not have struck many better than this one, his fourth of the season.

It sent the Spurs fans wild in celebration as thoughts turned to Champions League qualification, although they also had to be wary of Bolton striking on the counter-attack.

Gretar Steinsson had an earlier effort deflected into the side-netting to give Spurs a warning.

Then, just before the break, Taylor had a decent chance but his shot flew over after Klasnic nodded down for him.

It seemed only Huddlestone had his shooting radar switched on, as Pavlyuchenko blazed over after the interval.

Then Jermain Defoe had an effort blocked by Gary Cahill but the England striker had strayed offside, while David Bentley also dragged a shot wide.

At the other end, Bolton’s threat came through set-pieces.

Taylor had one free-kick deflected over by Huddlestone, then the corner was stabbed horribly wide by Zat Knight.

Coyle made his move on the hour mark, bringing on South Korea’s Lee Chung-Yong and Johan Elmander for Vladimir Weiss and Klasnic in a bid to freshen up his attack.

It nearly worked as Taylor unleashed a shot that needed Heurelho Gomes down sharply to make a one-handed save.

The Brazilian also made a fine save in the dying stages, again from Taylor.